Findings, first published in June's issue of the journal 'Immunity' and reprinted on the Forbes website provide new information about the role of bone marrow stem cells could lead to important advances in treating diseases like leukemia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, scientists say.

Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, Osaka University and Saga University of Japan, studied the purified bone marrow stem cells of laboratory mice. They discovered that these cells, once thought to be essentially dormant, can identify the presence of bacteria and viruses in the blood.

Once the infectious agents have been identified, the stem cells begin defending the body against these foreign pathogens, a fact that surprised the scientists.

They discovered that these stem cells have a sort of antennae that detect bacteria and viruses. When stem cells receive these distress signals, they spring to action, creating cells the body most needs early in life-threatening situations.

That could mean very good news for patients with autoimmune diseases. Understanding the role of these stem cells means that scientists one day may be able to figure out how to manipulate these stem cells to benefit such patients.